Philippines

Metro Manila Soaked by 186mm of Rain in Just 23 Hours—And the Worst May Not Be Over

METRO MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila was battered by an intense wave of monsoon rain after 186 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in just 23 hours, highlighting the relentless impact of the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, across the capital region. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), citing data from the DOST-PAGASA Science Garden Station in Quezon City, said the massive rainfall total was recorded from 9 a.m. on August 29 until 8 a.m. on August 30, 2026. T

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Four Still Missing After SUV Plunges Into Tarlac River—Then a Second Bridge Collapses

TARLAC CITY, Philippines — Search and rescue teams continued their operations Sunday, August 30, to find four people still missing after the vehicle they were riding in plunged into the Tarlac River when the Agana Bridge collapsed amid persistent heavy rains. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday night, August 29, when the Agana Bridge in Barangay Tibag gave way at around 8:32 p.m., according to local authorities. A Toyota Avanza carrying five passengers fell into the river as part of the bridge col

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Philippines Climbed in the Global Press Freedom Ranking — So Why Is CHR Sounding an Even Bigger Alarm?

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is pressing the Philippine government to confront what it calls a continuing cycle of impunity surrounding attacks on journalists, warning that threats to the media now extend beyond physical violence to red-tagging, legal harassment, online intimidation, surveillance and emerging risks involving artificial intelligence. The warning came on National Press Freedom Day, August 30, 2026, as the CHR said a free and independent press remains

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Marcos’ Viral Singing Video Sparks Flood Backlash—But the Full Timeline Tells a Different Story

MANILA, Philippines — A viral video showing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. singing during a birthday celebration for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has triggered renewed debate online, as several parts of Luzon grapple with severe flooding and relentless rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat. But Malacañang pushed back against criticism on Sunday, insisting that the President’s time with his family did not mean the government had stopped responding to the unfolding weath

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Family of Missing Filipino Doctor Juan Carlos Manalo Seeks Answers as Nepal-Tibet Flood Search Enters Critical Days

MANILA, Philippines — The family of Filipino physician Dr. Juan Carlos Manalo, who remains unaccounted for following the catastrophic floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, is growing increasingly anxious as they wait for definitive information about his whereabouts. ABS-CBN News reported on Sunday, August 30, that Manalo's family was “very worried” by the lack of updates from the government, days after the disaster struck the Himalayan border region. Philippine officials had earlier said they wer

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Teachers Risked Their Lives Crossing This Raging Mindoro River — The Bridge Is Finally Back, But the Bigger Fix Could Take Until 2028

BONGABONG, Oriental Mindoro — A vital bridge used by teachers, students and members of the Bangon Mangyan community in a remote part of Bongabong has been restored after days of dangerous crossings over a swollen river exposed the severe transportation challenges facing residents of Sitio Naswak. The crossing connects communities around Barangay Hagan with Sitio Naswak in Barangay Lisap and provides access to Naswak Hatubuan Bangon Elementary School, where teachers have continued reporting for

August 30, 2026

Philippines

63,000 Food Packs Rushed to Central Luzon as Habagat Flood Crisis Deepens—But the Rains Aren’t Over Yet

CENTRAL LUZON, Philippines — As relentless rains from the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, continue to batter parts of Luzon, the Philippine government has stepped up its disaster response, rushing 63,000 additional family food packs to Central Luzon as flooding threatens communities across the region. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said the latest relief deployment came after authorities assessed the worsening situation in Central Luzon, including flood-aff

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Magsingal, Ilocos Sur Imposes Liquor Ban, 7 P.M. Curfew as Habagat Threatens More Heavy Rain

MAGSINGAL, ILOCOS SUR — Authorities in Magsingal have imposed a temporary liquor ban and a nighttime curfew as persistent monsoon rains continue to raise the risk of flooding, landslides and other weather-related emergencies across Ilocos Sur. Acting Municipal Mayor Alrico Favis signed Executive Order No. 55, Series of 2026, on Sunday, August 30, putting the emergency restrictions into effect immediately as the southwest monsoon, locally known as the habagat, continued to batter Northern Luzon.

August 30, 2026

Philippines

P1-B Para sa Project NOAH: Kaya Na Bang Mahulaan ang Baha Bago Pa Ito Lumubog sa mga Komunidad?

MANILA, Philippines — Sa gitna ng patuloy na banta ng pagbaha at matitinding kalamidad sa bansa, naglaan ang pamahalaan ng P1 bilyon para palakasin ang Project NOAH, ang science-based disaster risk reduction program na pinangangasiwaan ng University of the Philippines (UP). Layunin ng pondo na bigyan ang pamahalaan at mga komunidad ng mas mahusay na kakayahang matukoy ang panganib, mahulaan ang posibleng pagbaha, at makakilos bago pa lumala ang isang sakuna. Ayon sa Department of Budget and Ma

August 30, 2026

Philippines

“Kapag Pinatahimik ang Mamamahayag, Sino ang Magbabantay sa Katotohanan?” Legarda Nanawagan ng Mas Matibay na Proteksyon

MANILA, Philippines — Sa gitna ng patuloy na hamon sa kalayaan at kaligtasan ng pamamahayag sa bansa, nanawagan si Senator Loren Legarda ng mas matibay na proteksyon para sa mga mamamahayag at media workers, kasabay ng paggunita ng National Press Freedom Day ngayong Agosto 30. Binigyang-diin ni Legarda na ang malaya, independiyente at ligtas na pamamahayag ay hindi lamang usapin ng mga nasa media—ito rin ay tungkol sa karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na makatanggap ng tama, napapanahon at mapagkakat

August 30, 2026